Biochar: valorisation of solid waste and improvement of soil properties

A biochar is a carbon-rich material, the result of the thermochemical decomposition of organic matter in absence of oxygen. Biochar production represents an ecological type of organic waste re-use. Biochar can be applied for carbon sequestration in soil, but also significantly improves soil physicochemical properties, and preserves essential nutrients and moisture, beneficial factors for microbial colonization. The porous character of a biochar provides a suitable environment for soil microbiota. The changes in the population density and diversity of the soil microbiom as well as the overall changes in soil properties caused by biochars will be elucidated within this project, especially as affected by the soil-biochar ratio and contact time, and availability of biochar-derived nutrients. Some fundamental mechanisms of the utilization of biochars in agro-ecosystems are poorly understood. Thus, the effect of the application of a biochar in the whole context of the soil-microbiota-plant will be clarified with emphasis on rhizosphere processess and the role of endophytic microorganisms.